Functional Sales Resume Examples

Crafting a resume for a functional sales role can feel like navigating a maze without a map. Functional sales often grapple with highlighting their skills effectively and aligning them with job requirements. It's challenging to showcase how your unique abilities can drive sales and contribute to a company’s success. The typical chronological approach may not do justice to your varied skill set and accomplishments. That’s why a specialized guide can help you shine. If you're tired of your resume stalling your career momentum, you’re in the right place. Let's untangle the knots and streamline your job search journey. Get ready to make your resume a powerful tool that sells your capabilities just as well as you sell products or services.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial for your success. A tailored template emphasizes your strengths and minimizes distractions, making it easier for recruiters to spot your potential. It ensures that your most relevant skills and achievements are highlighted, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. Don't overlook the power of an organized, professional-looking resume—it can make all the difference in landing your dream job.

We offer more than 700 resume examples to guide you in crafting the perfect resume for your functional sales career. Dive in and start your journey toward success today!

What to focus on when writing your functional sales resume

A functional sales resume should clearly convey your skills, experience, and achievements tailored to the sales industry. Highlight your ability to meet or exceed sales targets, build strong customer relationships, and generate revenue for your employers. A well-crafted resume aligns your strengths with the company’s needs, making it evident how you can contribute to their success.

To boost your impact, include:

• Specific sales targets achieved or exceeded.
• Examples of customer relationships developed.
• Awards or recognition received in past roles.
• Training or certifications in sales techniques.

Must have information on your functional sales resume

When creating a functional sales resume, make sure to include essential sections that highlight your skills and achievements. Here are some must-have sections:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Objective
• Professional Skills
• Sales Achievements
• Relevant Experience
• Education

Additional sections such as Certifications, Professional Memberships, or Volunteer Work can help to further enhance your resume and showcase your full range of abilities and experiences.

Which resume format to choose

For a functional sales resume, a functional format works best, especially if you are transitioning careers or have a varied work history. Opt for more modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat instead of outdated ones like Arial or Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure it keeps its formatting. Stick to 1-inch margins to make sure your resume is not too cluttered. Use clear section headings to improve the chances of your resume passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

A functional sales resume should include the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Skills
• Relevant Experience
• Education
• Certifications

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this for you, making the process much easier.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of a functional sales resume involves several crucial steps to create an impression on potential employers. Start with listing your most recent job experience first and work backward. Limit your experience to the last 10-15 years to keep it relevant. Focus on job titles that align with the sales roles you're applying for. Tailor your experience section to highlight skills and achievements that match the job description. Use action words like "boosted," "led," and "achieved" to demonstrate your proactive contributions.

Remember, numbers speak louder than words. Quantify your achievements with data. This captures the employer's attention and shows the tangible impact of your work.

Here is a poorly written experience section:

In the example above, the information is too vague and does not show specific achievements. Phrases like "worked on sales strategies" and "was responsible for customer service" don't convey the real impact you had. There's no context or data supporting your accomplishments.

Compare this to a well-crafted experience section:

The second example is effective because it focuses on quantifiable results. Each bullet point is specific and shows the direct impact of your work. Words like "increased,” “developed," and "mentored" are strong action words. This format demonstrates your capabilities and achievements more convincingly, helping you stand out to potential employers.

Functional sales resume experience examples

Let’s take a moment to dive into the art of crafting an outstanding sales resume—that’s right, we’re about to “sell” your sales experience like never before! With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of practical tips, here’s your guide to creating a resume that truly stands out.

Achievement-focused

Highlight your top sales achievements to grab attention. Potential employers love numbers and concrete results.

Skills-focused

Show off your key sales skills. Make sure your skills match the job requirements.

Responsibility-focused

Highlight specific responsibilities you handled. Employers look for accountability.

Project-focused

Describe sales projects you have led or contributed to. Focus on your role and outcome.

Result-focused

Emphasize results you achieved in your sales roles. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailor your experience to the industry. Highlight your familiarity with industry trends and standards.

Problem-Solving focused

Showcase your problem-solving abilities. Highlight how you resolved issues to benefit sales.

Innovation-focused

Display your creativity and innovative spirit. Highlight new ideas you brought to the table.

Leadership-focused

Illustrate your leadership skills and ability to inspire a team. Highlight team successes under your guidance.

Customer-focused

Highlight your commitment to customer satisfaction. Show how you put customers first in your sales approach.

Growth-focused

Focus on how you contributed to the growth of the company. Highlight growth in revenue, market share, or customer base.

Efficiency-focused

Show how you improved efficiency in sales processes. Highlight streamlining efforts and outcomes.

Technology-focused

Emphasize your tech-savvy nature. Highlight your experience with sales technology and tools.

Collaboration-focused

Showcase your teamwork and collaboration skills. Highlight successful joint efforts and partnerships.

Training and Development focused

Show you're committed to improving yourself and your team. Highlight your efforts in training and mentorship.

Write your functional sales resume summary section

Writing a resume summary for a functional sales resume is all about showcasing your top skills and achievements. Tailor it to highlight your strengths and how they fit the job you're applying for. Focus on skills and success in sales rather than your job titles or places you worked.

One effective trick is to describe yourself in an engaging way that grabs attention. Use strong words to show confidence. Highlight your best skills, years of experience, and any big wins. Keep it short but full of strong points.

There is a difference between a summary, a resume objective, a resume profile, and a summary of qualifications. A summary is a brief overview of your skills and experiences. A resume objective states your career goals. A resume profile is a detailed look at your career, and a summary of qualifications lists your key skills like bullet points.

Here is a badly written resume summary example:

This example is bad because it is vague and lacks specific details. It doesn't highlight any achievements or special skills. Phrases like "I know how to sell stuff" and "good at customer service" are too general and do not stand out.

Here is an outstanding functional sales resume summary example:

This example is good because it is specific and highlights measurable achievements. It shows expertise and confidence while giving concrete examples of success. Phrases like "boosting revenue by 30%" and "exceeding targets" give a clear picture of what you can do.

Listing your functional sales skills on your resume

When writing the skills section of your functional sales resume, you can choose to have a standalone section specifically for skills or weave them into other sections like your experience and summary. Including a mix of strengths and soft skills can illustrate your versatility in the sales field. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets that are job-specific, like CRM software proficiency or data analysis.

Skills and strengths play a crucial role in getting your resume noticed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). They're essentially resume keywords that hiring managers search for to find the best candidate. Highlighting relevant skills can make your resume stand out and show that you're a great fit for the job.

JSON example:

This standalone skills section is effective because each skill is directly relevant to a sales role, is easy to read, and allows hiring managers to quickly see your qualifications. Listing specific skills that are in demand in the sales industry ensures that your resume aligns with both the job requirements and the ATS algorithms.

Best hard skills to feature on your functional sales resume

Hard skills for a functional sales role should demonstrate your technical proficiency and ability to execute specific job tasks. They should communicate your ability to use tools and methods essential for sales.

Best soft skills to feature on your functional sales resume

Soft skills for a functional sales role should demonstrate your interpersonal abilities and how you interact with clients and team members. They should communicate your ability to effectively contribute to the team's success.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is a crucial part of your functional sales resume. Tailoring your education to the specific job you are applying for is essential. Only include educational experiences that are relevant to the job. If you have a high GPA, it could strengthen your resume, so consider including it. Mentioning honors like cum laude can also set you apart. Clearly listing your degree, school, and graduation date is important for readability.

Here is a poorly written example:

This example is bad because it lists an irrelevant degree and doesn't include any details about academic performance. It also includes the location, which adds unnecessary information.

Here is a well-written example:

This example is good because it lists a relevant degree in Business Administration for a sales role. It includes a high GPA, making the applicant look competitive. The concise format makes it easy to read.

How to include functional sales certificates on your resume

Listing a certificates section in your functional sales resume is essential for showcasing your qualifications. Begin by listing the name of the certificate, then include the date it was received, and add the issuing organization. You can also highlight certificates in your header for quick visibility.

For instance: "Certified Sales Professional (CSP), NASP, 2022".

Here is an effective standalone certificate section:

This example is strong because it includes certificates from reputable sales organizations. The titles clearly indicate advanced sales skills. The inclusion of issuer names adds credibility and detail. This placement helps hiring managers quickly see your qualifications relevant to the sales role.

Extra sections to include in your functional sales resume

When applying for a sales job, having a well-rounded resume can make a big difference. Highlighting various facets of your skills and personality helps you stand out to potential employers. Including sections like language skills, hobbies, volunteer work, and books can enrich your application and showcase your diverse abilities and interests.

• Language section — Demonstrate your ability to communicate in multiple languages, which is invaluable in reaching a broader client base. List languages fluently spoken, boosting your appeal as a global-minded candidate.

• Hobbies and interests section — Display personal interests that can cultivate rapport with colleagues and clients. Sharing hobbies shows your balanced life, making you seem more relatable.

• Volunteer work section — Show commitment to community involvement, proving your initiative and leadership outside the workplace. Include recent volunteer positions to illustrate your active engagement.

• Books section — Showcase continuous learning by listing books on sales, psychology, or self-improvement. Suggest recent reads to demonstrate your industry knowledge and dedication to self-improvement.

Pair your functional sales resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a brief document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It introduces you to the employer, highlights your skills and experiences, and explains why you are a good fit for the position. This can help set you apart from other applicants and give you a better chance of landing an interview.

For a functional sales job, your cover letter should focus on your ability to drive results, manage client relationships, and meet sales targets. Highlight specific achievements, like exceeding sales goals or building a successful client base, to show that you have a proven track record. Tailor your examples to the sales industry and the specific role you are applying for to make a strong impression.

Ready to create your own? Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder for an easy experience, and export it as a PDF to ensure your content and formatting stay intact. Get started now and make your application shine!